It could threaten her promising career

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A talented young footballer who was training with Manchester United has suffered a freak accident – potentially changing her life and threatening her career.

Carmel Morgan, from Eccles, was dreaming of being in the next generation of England Lionesses when she suffered a devastating knee injury in March this year. The 13-year-old was simply changing direction unopposed in a league match when her right knee gave way and she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Doctors also found she had sprained another knee ligament and damaged the meniscus, leaving her having to wear a knee brace and unable to play any sport. Specialists said she will need surgery for the injury.

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Due to NHS backlogs, Carmel’s family feared she was facing a long wait for an operation. The family set up a Gofundme appeal in a desperate bid to help fund the procedure privately so she could return to playing football as soon as possible.

But after reaching out to the M.E.N , the family discovered Carmel is in fact on a waiting list and is set to have her operation within three months.

Her uncle, Paul Johnston, 40, who is a coach at Irlam FC, said: “Carmel is a very keen and talented young footballer. She loves the game and would play wherever and whenever she could.

“She was definitely struggling with it when we realised how serious it was. Now she has a date in sight, she’s a lot better in herself.”

Carmel started playing at the age of six and has represented Bolton Wanderers girls’ team as well as a number of mixed gender teams at amateur clubs around Salford and Trafford.

Last season she played for Swinton Jaguars U13s, and was the only female player in a team which finished fourth in Division 1 of the Salford and District League. She was also training with the Manchester United development squad and played for Irlam FC.

Carmel was playing in a match for Brooklands Dragons on March 19 when she suffered the injury to her knee.

In a statement, a spokesman for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust said: “Carmel was examined at one of our clinics in early July following a referral from Royal Salford Hospital. She has been listed for her required procedure to take place with us within 3 months, her family have been informed of this.”

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